How to stop drinking

[frog]

Okay, Cathy - Day 2 for me tomorrow and Day 3 for you! Bring on the detox...

Rosella, thank you for sharing your experience with the emotions. I made an appointment w/ a therapist in a couple of weeks, and I look forward to pouring it all out to her. Go see someone if you can/want to. Write it out in a journal or write it to us. Don't even THINK that a drink would make it better - then you're just prolonging this process. It will feel so good to get to the other side. I look forward to joining you!

[tap out]

hi its been along time i posted here i was a little upset with justin at one time and we worked it out and i felt so bad about it i been reading the post and seen justin was in a bad place again now is doing good i want to say hi to justin and everybody he is my brother from a another mother we all rage war on our self when we drink it is a beast that needs to put to sleep forever julliet you rock you are truly a bad ass:

[Billy]

Good Morning everybody!

Yes, it truly is a good AM on my 4th day! I REALLY don't miss the anxiety, the guilt of drinking last night, getting a great night sleep, not sweating and asking everybody 'why is so hot in here' while I'm constantly wiping my brow, and the best part; being able to go to breakfast without shaking and trying to eat my food and wondering if my co-workers are noticing my eggs slipping off my fork and making every effort just to get them in my mouth; seriously! Some times I wouldn't even finish my breakfast because I was so embarrased Talking about this sucks but its part of my recovery! Reminding myself why its so worth never drinking again!

Any how, enough about me. How's the team doing:

frog, Jen, Sam, Marie, Cathy (anyone else?)- How is everyone? Troubles, trials, tribulations? Just put it out there! The good, the bad and the ugly! We all need to talk about our successes and our failures! We are all here for each other.

Thanks Carol and everyone for your support! We could use some positive vibes today and make sure everyone is welcome. May everyone have peace in their life, even its for just today!!

[rosella]

Thanks everyone for their support. Feeling heaps better now. Have started decluttering my house with my extra time and as I clear my space my head is starting to clear a little too.
Frog, you're so right about alcohol enslaving us. I just want to keep that idea of freedom in my mind so I can stay on a sober path. Having all these negative emotions and being able to deal with them without resorting to dulling them with a few drinks is empowering and no doubt my inner strength will start to return.
Hope you all are ok. Seems a little quiet!

[frog]

Day 2 - and like you, Billy, I'm enjoying not having the anxiety and guilt, etc. from yesterday. Upward and onward! Freedom! I've got the key - just gotta use it. Good job, Rosella, dealing with the emotions. Mine are raw too. I am soooo tired. I wish I could hibernate for a month or so. I will go to bed early tonight.

Bill Smit, as I was looking for inspiration last night, I went back and read some of your earlier posts from when you were just starting your 30 days. That really is a powerful way to put it all into perspective! It encourages me to post here often so that I can keep track of where I am in this, and so that I can go back and remember, especially when the days add up and I'm feeling like I have "control" over this. Anyway, no matter what you do, we support you. Just thought I'd share with you that your journey is helpful to me.

Have a good day, everyone.

[Millie]

Wow Bill. It is amazing how our brain works (for the worse if we let it) I am glad it was shocking enough behavior to kick you back into abstinence again. I think the time has come for you to also join our exercise pledge. Erin and I are finishing day 30 today and will be back on day 1 tomorrow.


Dragonfly.... Where the heck are you. I am surprised you haven't reported in to let us know how you are doing.

[Regina]

Today is Day 1 for me. :-(
I had been doing really well and feeling better. I even started exercising. Yesterday I got such a strong urge to drink on my way home from work so I got a bottle of wine and drank almost all of it. Today I feel the anxiety, shame, hopelessness and fear I have come to feel after drinking. Why do I keep sabotaging myself?

[Samantha]

Bill thanks for sharing. We have all done that so many times. Whats great is you recognize it for what it is and have made a decision for another 30. Thats so great. My advice to you about addiction, based on my experience, is it never gets better, never the same, only gets worse.

Millie, Mairianna, Billy, Sam, Frog, Jen, Marie, MLT, Cathy, Bill, we need more people on the 60+ thread. Counting on you guys! Millie and Mairianna 3 more days?

[Samantha]

Hey Regina we cross posted. I had those feelings too. Is there anything you can do when you get those urges to distract yourself? I had urges the first maybe 3 weeks that were powerful but it did subside. I kept myself busy with lists and everytime that voice popped up I said no, not today, leave me alone. Anyway thinking of you and we are all here for you and have all had many day 1's.

[Cathy]

Well last night I thought I was homefree and could wake up to day 3 today. Not so..........hubby was going to the store for some smokes and out of the blue I said "will you pick me up a couple of little bottles of smirnoff?" He just looked at me rather dissapointed and out the door. I remember asking myself WHY am I doing this? Why do I keep insisting on prolonging this agony?

I need a new approach. I think I've been half heartedly dealing with this whole issue, thinking that surely I can abstain in my own willpower. Well obviosely my will power isn't very powerful. I've never in my life kept a journal. Don't even really know how. Just write down what I'm thinking and feeling at any given moment? I'll have to hide it well. My family is always in and out of the house, and only hubby knows about the struggle.

So sabotaging oneself is likely pretty common. Regina you're not alone in that. Because of this forum and everyone's honesty, I'm encouraged to keep moving forward no matter what. And like Rosella was explaining.......the emotions WILL come out eventually, and will have to be dealt with. I've been tamping mine down and keeping them under for so long that frankly they scare the crap out of me. But onward and upward. Time to get the whole ugly mess out of my life for good.

I'm also doing something I haven't done before, and that's take the 30 day challange. I have this little voice in my head saying "yeah right".....but I'm not going to listen to it. I'm going to get a calender (which I'll have to hide from curious minds) and start with the hearts and frowns.

Day 1

[Ruth]

Dear friends- ll of you who are struggling, Bill S., Regina, Cathy- there is no controlling this, it is not a personal weakness, you are not a loser or a weak person. THis is a physiological, neurological change that has either always been there or has occurred from years of drinking, and it means that your body will crave alcohol, period. And that it won't be satisfied, period. I know that we have a social stigma associated with alcohol problems, but at this point you all know that you have a problem, and you all want to reclaim your lives. I am not apologizing for speaking for you, because I know this is true, deep down. The solution is a firm understanding and a firm commitment to change your lives. Does this mean you will never slip? Nope. But what it does mean is that you are taking the gloves off and going for real. What I hear from all three of you is that you have turned a corner in your understanding, and that is a good thing! We are all here to help you through the tough times and celebrate your successes!

[Billy]

Way to go Bill S! You realized right away; so good for you! I am so happy you made the right call. Based on where you were and where you are now, BRAVO!! I'm glad your joining us! Frog, so glad! Regina, jump in, the water gets better once you just dive in and enjoy it! Cathy, its cool, just stay with us. Have you read "The Easy way to quit drinking"? Forgot the author, but it'll help.

Just a thought for those worried about detoxing and controling cravings. If you need, go talk to your Dr. I am not a Doctor but my best friend is and he set me up with the following program: It's different for everybody but alcohol withdrawal symptoms USUALLY last about 72 hours, sometimes longer, so he prescribed me 7 days of Librium (not for cravings) every 6 hours (after 3 days wean off slowly, maybe just 3 a day then 2 a day) starting once your on your 2nd day sober. Once I'm done with Librium after a week, the A/W should be decreased and now you have to worry about the cravings. Then he prescribed me Campral (not for a/w symtoms) for the cravings. He prescribed 3 doses a day for roughly 3 weeks, then again ween off it possibly 2 per day for another 2 weeks. PLEASE NOTE this is based on me, after taking blood work, having a complete physical, and being totally honest about my drinking (which he already knew). But please remember, EVERYBODY IS DIFFERENT! Google is your friend!!!!

Just a thought to consider, and I again want to stress this regime is not for everybody but it may help. Bottom line, talk to your Dr. if your worried about detoxing!

And to those not posting because they said some things they regret, I'm sure some of the "oldtimers" remeber when I screwed up once and posted while I was drinking, and everyone forgave me so don't stop posting! By the way, we don't know who you are, remember!!! Anonymity is a great thing sometimes!!

[_Erin_]

You guys are all so awesome!!! I feel your struggles and sooo admire you all for your tenacity!!

And I just have to say, I loved Millie's "big dysfunctional family at Thanksgiving" comment yesterday. Hit the nail on the head, and I'm extremely proud to be a part of this family. Each and every one of you contributes a vital part to this forum! It would not be the same without any of you!!! And I crack up laughing every time she scares another person away with her enthusiasm for the 30-day exercise challenge. I just picture if all of us were in a big room, and suddenly someone spots her and says, "Here comes Millie!" and everyone scatters to hide before she sees them. LOL Seriously, though, I got a lot out of finishing 30 days. It flat out sucks at first, and even halfway through, but a good feeling of accomplishment at the end.

Speaking of 30 - Bill - awesome job finishing your 30. Even awesome job picking up that drink and realizing it's no longer the lifestyle for you!! Cathy, you keep picking yourself up and coming back. That's awesome, very admirable. Billy - Day 4, hell yeah!!!! Carol, Ruth, as always, you have such wisdom to share with us all! Frog, Regina - you can do it! We're all behind you. And I second Frog's question of "Where is Connor?"

Marie, that was one of the most insightful first posts I've ever read. To all of the newcomers... WELCOME!! Like others said earlier, what happened the other day is super-rare, don't let it scare you and don't let it deter you from posting and creating your new life! You'll get so much out of this site.

[tap out]

justin; julliet, hope you guys are doing good and everything is ok hope to see yous on the thread soon / i am still not drinking still power lifting /bodybuilding and doing mma i lost count of my days not drinking its been awhile a long while , the best thing i ever did soon as i crave i shut it down in my head rigth away dont let it start building up that where the troulble starts.. hi to everyone hope all is good . julliet you are a fighter for sure keep posting....

[kevin2]

Nice post Erin-I've been reading this forum and a bunch of the archived articles from Patrick alot as usual over the last few days without posting as much. Not really sure why,...maybe it does have something to do with the little "incident" a couple of days ago. I definitly don't want to come across as a hypocrite or as preachy or wanting attention. I sympathize with and relate to, in one way or another, everyone here. I'm here to learn more than anything,..and give words of encouragment and advice when I can. Why can't I take my own advice?...and let the inspiration I get from the folks here push me to try the same things? I just continue to stay stuck in this same rut and it is wearing me out. I've gotten pretty drunk the last 2 nights and am having a really hard time today. I've promised myself "not tonight" and I'm sticking to that. I'm playing golf later this afternoon,...it's a beautiful day here, I should be sooo excited about it. Normally I would load up the cooler with beer and ice and have at it. Now I'm honestly dreading playing,...and as I type this that "voice" is already trying to get me to change my mind. Why do I keep doing this to myself??

[Millie]

Kevin,
Come join us on the exercise challenge...

Just kidding...had to write that after erin's post. I am still chuckling re: the thought of everyone trying to hide from me. Hehe


Are you a good golfer? Have you tried to get better? My recommendation is that you challenge yourself on the golf course today. Perhaps little challenges. Chances are you will play better without downing beers. I also recommend d that you take something yummy to drink that is nonalcoholic... If you think you will miss the beer take o'douls, buckler or Kaliber...

My final recommendation is that you research some really good jokes before you go, and let one rip right before the others are getting ready to hit the ball. There are probably some other things you can think of to amuse yourself this afternoon without alcohol.

Good luck.

P.s. We would like to see you join us on exercise challenge.

[Millie]

Cathy and Regina.. You are back on day 1 together. It helps to have others on same day cheering you on and holding you accountable. I wouldn't have been able to do it without Casey and mairianna!!! Here is to a successful day one. May you never see a day one again...

[Cathy]

Bill my husband is aware of my struggle to stop drinking. I have 3 adult daughters and 6 grandkids who come and go regularly. My daughters are under the impression that I've gotten control over the drinking problem. As a matter of fact they never even bring it up anymore (to my great relief) At one point, a couple of years ago, they were planning on an intervention, which I found out about and foiled. Also my grandkids occasionally stay over night and I don't want them asking questions about alcohol or finding a journal. That's the main reason that this site is so valuable to me. I can get compassion, understanding and encouragement here. Which my family thinks it's absurd that I would continue to drink, risking all of my important relationships. And just writing this out and thinking on it makes me feel like a loser. But I know that I'm not a loser, but have a real nasty problem that requires conquering. One thing I am very glad about is that my consumption has been greatly reduced during this past year. I used to drink almost every evening twice the amount and often blacked out, only to wake up with no memory of my actions. So I'm clinging to that person (the real me) inside who's making small steps toward the goal of zero tolerance.

[Cathy]

Thanks you Millie

[kevin2]

Kevin,
Come join us on the exercise challenge...

Just kidding...had to write that after erin's post. I am still chuckling re: the thought of everyone trying to hide from me. Hehe


Are you a good golfer? Have you tried to get better? My recommendation is that you challenge yourself on the golf course today. Perhaps little challenges. Chances are you will play better without downing beers. I also recommend d that you take something yummy to drink that is nonalcoholic... If you think you will miss the beer take o'douls, buckler or Kaliber...

My final recommendation is that you research some really good jokes before you go, and let one rip right before the others are getting ready to hit the ball. There are probably some other things you can think of to amuse yourself this afternoon without alcohol.

Good luck.

P.s. We would like to see you join us on exercise challenge.

Thanks for the cool response Millie,..I'm on and off with the excercise, but truly my 4 rugrats give me an excercise challenge every day. Last Saturday I coached 2 soccer games with my girls in the morning,...then a baseball game that afternoon with my oldest son,...then took them all on a bike ride that evening. Then of course I pounded 12 beers that night! Your advice for my golf game is great actually and I hope to take you up on it. I just know what a pull it will be when I get to the course. I'm a pretty decent player,...was much better before having all of the kids,..they really cut into my playing time ;-) Millie- You aren't actually Richard Simmons are you?